Mouth prop



NOVf 5, 1940- J. l.. dvBLooMHEART 2,220,574

MOUTH PROP Filed May 17,` 1959 Patented Nov. 5, 1940 PATENT oFrlcE MOUTH PROP John L. Bloomheart, Toledo, Ohio, assigner to Martha F. McKesson, Toledo, Ohio Application May 17, 1939, Serial No. 274,147

2 Claims.

This invention relates to spacers for holding jaws apart This invention has utility when incorporated in devices for engaging the teeth or the gums in 5 holding clearance therebetween as for opening access especially in dental work and even against rigidity which may be experienced as tending to develop in response to anesthetic as in analgesia and anaesthesia.

Referring to the drawing;

Fig. l is a side elevation from the tongue side of the device, the teeth of the patient being shown in dotted lines;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the device from the cheek or outer side;

Fig. 3 is an end elevationof the device from the insert or mouth open side;

Fig. 4 is a View looking into the device from the side as exposed to the teeth or gums;

Fig. 5 is a section on the line V-V, Fig. 2, showing the channel section with the position of the teeth and cheek dotted;

Fig. 6 is the blank fromwhich this sheet metal core is formed for this denture device; and

Fig. 7 is a view of the formed blank for .the rhomboidal core, looking into the channel side thereof.

Thin sheet metal blank i is shaped to provide tapering side 2 as the base of U-shaped channel from which risers 3 upwardly extend to have their free edges 4 outwardly bent. There is thus formed an open ended V-shaped channel providing a .resistance core for composition or plastic body. This body provides bite portion 5 on opposite sides which may have transverse ribs 6 from lower flange or margin portion l. Therefrom there is short portion 3 to tongue clearance portion 9 between these bite portions. Remote from this inner side of the mouth piece for this denture device, there is major flange portion l having medial filler iI-therebetween. In completing this unit structure, opening I2 in the blank or metal reinforcing core provides a way in the composition coated body for forming port i3, through which string il may be inserted as a holder means permitting ready withdrawal of this device from position in use, wherein it may serve effectively to space teeth l or the gums I6 from which the teeth arise, thereby holding mouth li open.

Ther-e is from cheek i8 as receding from lips i9 clearance 2li about the gums I6 outer portion into which may enter the flanges Il) from this dental device. Accordingly, imposition for use, the flanges It in the cheek side tend to hold the prop in position to spread the jaws and leave clearance 9 therebetween for the tongue of the patient. Therefore, the mouth is held open for such dental work as may ybe in order or other attention, say for throat or nasal purposes.

(Cl. 12S- 12) The device is accordingly one simply placed and at a desired insert position for determining the spaced relation, which, because of its taper, may vary the opening to which the device is effective. The experience with patients is frequently one involving diiculty in holding the mouth open for the desired attention, especially in the instance where anesthetic is used, as there is tendency many times for the mouth to become rigid or bite. This device is of sufhcient physical strength to withstand such. Its coating, which may be a composition of rubber or analogous properties, is one not to tend to chip or shatter, even at excess of pressure. It is further eective against application of pressure tending to throw the device clear of the mouth. In the use, the physician, surgeon, anaesthetist, dentist, `or one according attention to the patient, may gently spread the jaws of the patient and place this device, which is one readily cleaned and kept antiseptic. As so placed for occasion of use, it will be retained `thereby against shifting and leaves tongue clearance as Well as not excess lateral -spacing between the cheek and teeth so that there is factor of comfort to the patient.

In an emergency the string I4 may be pulled to effect withdrawal. The taper or V-form adapts for rang-e of sizes 'or spread desired.

However, there may be further range by adopting a size for infants and a second size for adults, o`r even additional sizes as may be found desirable.

What is claimed and it is desired to secure by United States Letters Patent is: l

1. A denture device providing a mouth prop approximately U-shape in cross-section, there being clearance between the trough portions to the inner side of the cheek portion as a tongue clearance region.

2 A denture device providing a mouth prop having a reinforcing body, land resilient embed ding means for the body having a cheek-engaging convex portion of rhomboidal outline, the tapering sides forming resilient vouter anges and therefrom a pair of spaced diverging trough portions inwardly overhanging from this cheek-engaging intermediate portionr as a base of approximately U-shape in cross-section enclosing the reinforcing body and from which the reinforcing body extends across the bottom of the trough and into inward flange portions of the trough, there being clearance between the trough portions to the inner side of the cheek portion to provide tongue clearance.

JOHN L. BLOOMHE'ART. 

